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Former Hamilton flying instructor fighting drink driving charge

The former managing director of a Hamilton airport-based flight training company is fighting a drink-driving charge.

Ian Stuart Calvert, 55, of Leamington, had an excess breath alcohol level of 466mcg when he was stopped by police while driving on McEldownie Rd - a road near Hamilton International Airport - on Friday, March 8.

The legal limit is 400mcg.

He entered a not guilty plea when he appeared in the Hamilton District Court this morning.

Calvert, a pilot and ''A category'' general aviation examiner and instructor, helped establish the New Zealand training arm of CTC Aviation Training 10 years ago.

He was appointed managing director in 2009, and in June last year, together with a colleague bought a 48 per cent share in the company.

However, he suddenly resigned from the company last month - after the charge was laid.

Calvert's counsel, Wayne Dollimore, opposed the Waikato Times application to photograph Calvert in court stating he would fight the charge and was entitled to the presumption of innocence.

But Community Magistrate Susan Hovell said Calvert had not filed for name suppression, his name was already in the community and saw no reason to oppose a photo.